DEVOTION: February 6

I FEEL IT in the brisk breeze on an afternoon walk,
and the hospitality of a neighbor who pauses to chat.
As the sun warms my face in a stolen moment of silence,
as the cardinal once again appears, day after day, week after week.

I HEAR IT in the belly laugh of my son as he demands yet another family hug,
in the unison of synchronized voices and hearts worshipping at church.
In the ping of an unexpected email of acceptance
to something I forgot I applied for, months earlier.

I SEE IT on my daughter’s face when she courageously gains a victory,
in bare trees with long limbs extended high.
In the heart-shaped yellow leaf at my feet
and the electric blue sky of winter.

I SMELL IT in the burst of lilac of spring,
in the first cup of coffee before the sun rises.
In Greg’s cologne as we get ready for a date,
in the fresh cut grass on a summer morning.

I REMEMBER IT on the highway on a random Tuesday night,
as the movie reel of my life plays in my mind…
all the times God protected me, and rescued me.
All the times He blessed me through the bad
and walked closely through good.

The love of God.

It surrounds and encompasses and shows off and proclaims. It’s in the wild, grand gestures and small, intimate whispers. The stage is always set for us to walk right into His loving arms. If our eyes are turned upward, and our hearts are flung open, and our spirits are inviting, and our minds are on alert — then we can feel and hear and see and smell and remember the love of God.

But first, we have to be willing.

Pray this morning that you would be alert and aware, open and attentive to finding the million little ways God is loving you today. Make a list, write them down. And then thank Him for loving you so creatively and passionately.

“Open your mouth and taste, open your eyes and see—
how good God is. Blessed are you who run to him.”
(Psalm 34:8, The Message)